Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
COMS 560 Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
COMS 560
CONFLICT AND COMMUNICATION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Analysis of theories and research of the role of communication in conflict in interpersonal,
group, organizational, and societal contexts. Emphasis is placed on individual communication
styles and competence in the management of conflict.
RATIONALE
Knowing that certain techniques of communication will produce certain responses, and knowing
how to apply them in appropriate contexts will allow students to be more productive in their
personal, academic, and work life. Knowing strategies and models of conflict resolution to use
in political, religious, and business situations will provide a base for further study in international
relations, counseling, and personal conflict resolution.
I.
II.
PREREQUISITES
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Identify and explain Biblical reasons for understanding and applying
communication in conflicting situations that promotes unity and solvency.
B.
Understand current research as it relates to conflict management in interpersonal,
group, business, church, and other contexts.
C.
Apply communication models and techniques that promote effective conflict
resolution in various situations.
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COMS 560 Syllabus
V.
D.
Identify issues that contribute positively and negatively to conflict situations.
E.
Apply methods of conflict management to specific conflict situations.
F.
Select methods and techniques appropriate to fostering conflict resolution in
personal situations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the
related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board forums (4)
Students will read an article in the Helmick et al. textbook and create a 400-word
thread that discusses the article’s contribution towards conflict management. The
thread will be an article review and assess how the article contributes towards the
topic of conflict management. The thread is due by the end of the day on
Thursday of the assigned module/week. Students will write a 200-word reply to
at least one classmate’s thread by the end of Sunday of the same module/week.
D.
Journal Activities (25)
Each module will contain a number of exercises that enhance the textbook reading
and serve to reinforce the student’s understanding of conflict resolution
principles. The student will complete all the Journal Activities within the same
Word document and submit this document three times to the instructor for review.
E.
Interaction Papers (2)
One paper will be theoretical and one research-oriented. The purpose of both 7–8
page interaction papers is to show your understanding of the issues that cause
conflict and the methods/resources currently being used to resolve those conflicts
in specific contests. They are to be comprehensive in their scope but brief in
their presentation. In other words, they should cover the major issues of conflict
and overview the methods and pitfalls of resolution.
F.
Essays (2)
Student will write two essays of their choice from a list of topics that will also be
used as a study guide for their final exam. Essays should not be more than 5
pages double-spaced and should directly deal with the issue presented in the topic.
G.
Article Reviews (4)
Students will write four 2-page article reviews summarizing the issues and their
opinions of the articles from selected readings in the Helmick et al. text. The
article review will include an assessment of the article’s strengths and weaknesses
and how its content contributes towards the subject of conflict management.
H.
Final Exam
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COMS 560 Syllabus
The Final Exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions taken
from the required reading in the Borisoff & Victor and Cahn & Abigail texts.
There is a 2-hour time limit, and students may use their texts, notes, and study
materials. The Final Exam must be completed by the last day of the course.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board forums (4 at 25 pts ea)
Journal Activities (25 at 10 pts ea)
Interaction Papers (2 at 135 pts ea)
Essays (2 at 70 pts ea)
Article Reviews (4 at 25 pts ea)
Final Exam
B.
10
100
250
270
140
100
140
Total: 1010
Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 F = 759 and below
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
class will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact the Liberty University Online
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements foracademic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport
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COMS 560 Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
COMS 560
Textbooks: Borisoff & Victor, Conflict Management (1998).
Cahn & Abigail, Managing Conflict Through Communication (2014).
Helmick et al., Forgiveness and Reconciliation (2001).
Sande, The Peacemaker (2004).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Cahn & Abigail: chs. 1–2
Borisoff & Victor: ch. 1
Sande: chs. 1–3
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
Discussion Board Forum 1
10
0
25
2
Cahn & Abigail: chs. 3–4
Borisoff & Victor: ch. 2
Sande: chs. 4–6
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Journal Activities 1–9
Article Review 1
90
25
3
Cahn & Abigail: chs. 5–6
Borisoff & Victor: ch. 3
Sande: chs. 7–8
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Discussion Board Forum 2
Essay 1
25
70
4
Cahn & Abigail: chs. 7–8
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Article Review 2
Interaction Paper 1
25
135
5
Cahn & Abigail: ch. 9
Sande: chs. 9–10
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Discussion Board Forum 3
Journal Activities 10–17
25
80
6
Cahn & Abigail: chs. 10–11
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Article Review 3
25
7
Cahn & Abigail: ch. 12
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
Discussion Board Forum 4
Journal Activities 18–25
Essay 2
25
80
70
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
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COMS 560 Course Schedule
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
8
Borisoff & Victor: chs. 4–5
Cahn & Abigail: ch. 13
Sande: conclusion
Helmick & Petersen: article
chapter notes
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Article Review 4
Interaction Paper 2
Final Exam
25
135
140
TOTAL
1010
DB=Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on
Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
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